What is trandolapril and verapamil?
Trandolapril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin
converting enzyme.
Verapamil is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the
muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
The combination of trandolapril and verapamil is used to treat high blood pressure
(hypertension).
Trandolapril and verapamil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking trandolapril and verapamil?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to trandolapril (Mavik) or verapamil
(Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), or if you have:
-
certain heart conditions, especially "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV
block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
-
a heart rhythm disorder;
-
low blood pressure; or
-
if you are allergic to any other ACE inhibitor, such as
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril
(Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), or ramipril
(Altace).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use this medication. Before using trandolapril and verapamil, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
-
liver disease;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
diabetes; or
-
a nerve-muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy.
FDA pregnancy category D.
Do not
use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Trandolapril and
verapamil could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an
effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become
pregnant during treatment.
Trandolapril and verapamil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take trandolapril and verapamil?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Trandolapril and verapamil works best if you take it with food.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to
very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking trandolapril and
verapamil. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
trandolapril and verapamil. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood
pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store trandolapril and verapamil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of trandolapril and verapamil?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about trandolapril and verapamil?
Your pharmacist has information about trandolapril and verapamil written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of trandolapril and verapamil?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,
or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
chest pain, slow heart rate; or
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about trandolapril and verapamil?
Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant
or planning a pregnancy. Trandolapril and verapamil could cause birth defects in the baby if you take
the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and
tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking trandolapril and
verapamil, unless your doctor has told you to.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to
very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking trandolapril and
verapamil. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood
pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking trandolapril and verapamil?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking trandolapril and
verapamil, unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect trandolapril and verapamil?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
-
gold injections (to treat arthritis);
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);
-
theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Theo-Dur, and others);
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or
erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin);
-
heart rhythm medicine such as disopyramide (Norpace),
flecainide (Tambocor), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol
(Zebeta, Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor,
Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that can
affect trandolapril and verapamil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of trandolapril and verapamil?
